ISLAMABAD, Feb 22 (DNA): Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday directed to ensure completion of ongoing power projects on time adding that he will monitor the progress on power projects on a regular basis.

The Prime Minister stated in a meeting in which Federal Secretary Water and Power briefed the Cabinet Committee on Energy Monday that 2015 remained the best year for power generation and recovery of arrears. The meeting headed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was informed that peak generation of power was 17000 MW last year.

The secretary said that line losses were reduced by 5.8% due to better monitoring and strategy to eliminate corruption and theft.

PM Nawaz was informed that Rs51 billion increase was noticed in recoveries while Rs10 billion were saved due to decrease in the line losses.

There are sufficient fuel stocks in the country. Facilities provided to new Independent Power Producers (IPPs) last year will help generate 12,000 MW electricity, he added.

The meeting was also informed that 9,090 megawatt additional electricity will be added to the grid by end of next year.

Significant addition of electricity to national grid will not only minimize loadshedding, but will also greatly contribute to economic and infrastructure development, he said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif rode to power in 2013 on a promise to fix the electricity crisis, but Pakistan still struggles to provide power to its 190 million people and industries. DNA